Not to be confused with Ravensara, Ravintsara is more akin to Eucalyptus oils due to its high 1,8-Cineol content (ranging from 45-55% of its composition, with other major constituents being "monoterpenes (sabinene 15%, alpha-pinene and beta-pinene), sesquiterpenes (beta-carophyllene), monoterpenic alcohols (alpha-terpineol 7% and terpineol) and esters (terpenyl acetate)."* Ravintsara can be used safely in place of, or accompanying Eucalyptus oils in all their applications. These are generally utilized for their pleasing, lively aroma - which Ravintsara has its own unique aroma in this way: its scent is that of both Eucalyptus with a touch of cinnamon-spiciness.

Ravintsara is not indigenous to Madagascar, but instead to Taiwan. The Ravintsara grown in Madagascar differs from that grown in Taiwan & China, which there is actually (or at least very similar to) 'Ho Wood', an oil much higher in camphor. The Ravintsara essential oil distilled from the leaves of the trees grown in Madagascar is considered the safer cousin of all these oils, with its high production in 'Eucalyptol' (as the molecule 1,8-cineol is sometime known), and is very well tolerated by the majority of the population, as is Eucalyptus in general.

The essential oil is wonderful for use in all the ways Eucalyptus varieties are - for an uplifting note in your diffuser blends (with the antiseptic properties associated with Eucalyptus species), as a breathing/respiratory support essential oil unto itself, and for inclusion in invigorating massage blends. Ravintsara essential oil is noted to be antibacterial, anticatarrhal, antifungal, anti-infectious, anti rheumatic, antiviral, a decongestant, cicatrisant (wound healer), expectorant, and general immune and neurotonic.

Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt notes about Ravintsara: "it is the essence of choice for the treatment of influenza...and calls its natural chemistry (of cineol and alpha-terpinol - also, by the way, why evergreen tree needle oils are included in anti-viral blends) a "cold-and-flu" synergy.

Essential oils also noted for similar properties include Bay Laurel, Eucalyptus Radiata, Niaouli, Tea Tree and Spike Lavender (to this list, we would add Benchmark Thyme as well). Treatment with these oils, he notes, inhibits the virus by altering the pH and electrical resistance of bodily fluids in a way that is disadvantageous for viral replication.

The best way to use this oil for this application would be in a nebulizing diffuser, or inhaled from a steaming bowl of water several times per day. It can also be used in a diffuser as a prophylactic, perhaps preventing illness in those that are well, when coming into contact with 'sick' individuals.

Ravensara, on the other hand, is low in 1,8-cineol, though higher in methyl eugenol. As described by Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt in Advanced Aromatherapy, it is the preferred oil to be blended with the carrier oil Tamanu for support of healing of Shingles. BOTH oils can be used for HSV in general, but it is the specific chemistry of Ravensara that appears to give it the advantage when treating shingles in its 50/50 blend with Tamanu (we include this blend, along with a dash of a few other highly-regarded anti-hsv essential oils in our TheraSkin formula).

(*general chemical features courtesy of materiaaromatica.com)